How to Skip Ahead 15 Frames in After Effects

Introduction

Precise timeline navigation is essential when working with animations, transitions, and keyframes in After Effects. Sometimes you need to move the playhead forward by an exact number of frames — such as 15 frames — to place keyframes or fine-tune timing. Below are two reliable methods to do this quickly and accurately.

Method 1: Move Forward Frame by Frame Using Keyboard Shortcuts

This method is useful when you want manual, frame-accurate control. To move the playhead one frame forward:

Press Ctrl + Right Arrow (Windows) or Cmd + Right Arrow (macOS)
Repeat this shortcut 15 times to move exactly 15 frames ahead.

To move one frame backward: Press Ctrl + Left Arrow (Windows) or Cmd + Left Arrow (macOS)